As we continue our “Paying It Forward!”Part 2: The 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “Formula” – “Think Like a Fish!” emphasis, today’s focus is on Acts 17:16-34. This is a longer passage than we typically use for One-to-One, but it makes the point of “thinking like a fish quite well. The Apostle Paul traveled to Athens, looked around and saw the opportunity to address two radically different groups of people: the Jews who lived there, and the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who lived there as well. Let’s read the passage and see how Paul thought, spoke and acted differently with the two different groups, and the results of his interaction with them:

Acts 17:16-34 (ESV) 16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Acts 17:16-34 (ESV) Notice that Paul “reasoned” with the Jews and with Greek philosophers. He would have reasoned from the Scriptures, what we call the Old Testament with the Jews, and as we read, he quoted from the experience and writings of the Greek philosophers. The result is some of the people thought he was a “babbler,” others thought he was crazy and a handful believed. We aren’t responsible for the results when we approach others with the Good News. We are responsible to approach them in a way they will understand and receive to their benefit and blessing.

For today’s application project review Acts 17:16-34. Look closely at how Paul approached the situation. See how he addressed the philosophers. Consider someone you know who is not a Christian. What is their background? How could you approach him or her in a way that will make sense from his or her perspective? Remember, when it comes to paying it forward by thinking like a fish, we always consider the other person’s perspective and then move from there to Jesus. Ask God to give you the opportunity to think like a fish in approaching the person, or someone else with the Good News today.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your faithfulness in our lives. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live faithfully in sharing the Good News with others in Jesus’ name. Amen.